Not-So-Healthy Headlines

This week the United States Supreme Court is expected to hand down its ruling on President Obama’s healthcare act. If the bill is overturned, many Americans will joyfully cheer its defeat, despite it being the first serious effort to correct a system that allows Americans to rank #37 in healthcare and #38 in life expectancy, but #1 in per capita healthcare expenditure. The only other healthcare category in which America leads is the zeal with which we insist we have the world’s best healthcare.

When the Soviets put a satellite in space, it inspired Americans to send a man to the moon as part of a competition to prove America’s system and values could produce greater achievements than the Soviets. Nowadays when Americans hear Cubans beat them in life expectancy it doesn’t inspire more than a shrug–we’ll offer another shrug in a few minutes, just give us some time to catch our breath.

When the media is waiting for big news like the healthcare ruling, it prepares two different versions of the story to ensure an immediate response regardless of the outcome. I’ve decided to create headlines the media can use whether the bill is overturned or upheld:

If overturned:

Supreme Court to America’s Uninsured: Eat More Apples

After Defeat Democrats Hope to Give Republicans Taste of Their Own Medicine; Can’t Afford It

Republican Plans for Three Cheers Cut to One After First Cheer Sets Off Bout of Wheezing

Life of Healthcare Bill Even Shorter than American Life Expectancy

Now That Healthcare is on Life Support, Republicans Feel Moral Obligation to Save It

Healthcare Bill Denied Clean Bill of Health

Diagnosis: Death

If Upheld:

Obama Rubs Salt in GOP Wound; Insists Wound Was Preexisting Condition

On Heels of Healthcare Reform, America Sets Sights on Overtaking Cuba in Life Expectancy

After Defeat, Republican Conniption Fit Followed Closely by Coughing Fit

Watching this unfold has been both confusing and an eyeopener. It does make me grateful I live in Canada where I have healthcare. As a cancer survivor I know I would never have been able to afford the caliber of care I received during my fight if it wasn’t for our healthcare.

I’d laugh if the Republican lies about this healthcare bill weren’t so egregious. Theirs was an effective strategy to ensure that millions of people will go without adequate or any health insurance. And, yet, they never offered up a single viable alternative. It’s a shame that the electorate doesn’t have the time to read the Affordable Care Act or the desire to. Well, we’ll see. What with the SCOTUS we have, I’m thinking we’re all going to be forking over more money to pay for health insurance. My rates just went up, negating the meager 2% raise I just got.

Reblogged this on A Great Experiment and commented:
The fact we’re so behind in health is perhaps one of the most upsetting things about our nation today. Combined with our less than 100% literacy rates, it feels like a lie to further proclaim that “America is the best nation on Earth” – for the numbers seem to have other ideas.

I was super excited when I found out my city ranked third in worst dressed cities in America!! Number 3 ain’t so bad. Let’s strive for that. And by strive, I actually mean ample slowly with our walkers and stop repeatedly to catch our breaths.

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I love this, Paul. It is so frustrating that the Repubs hate giving health care to all. That somehow it’s perceived as a socialist move to do so. And, I’m afraid the Supreme Court is too biased to the right, to even consider using common sense. At least one of them doesn’t even pretend to hide his disdain for the president. Like I said, it’s so frustrating!

I really believe we need to repeal healthcare and insurance coverage for politicians, especially the Repubs who are hellbent on bashing to the grave a healthier care system for our citizens. If they and their respective families got seriously sick and had to pay their own medical bills, they would have a different perspective on this. It just amazes me, the indifference some have for those who really are trapped financially.

Where I live, self insured health coverage for a mature adult costs over $675 a MONTH! That is PER MONTH! phew. It’s easier to die than pay. and less stressful.

It is embarrassing that such a wealthy country is cutting schools and denying healthcare to its ever-growing poor population. Rather than pay another penny in taxes, they wouldcut their pound of flesh from the backs of the sick and elderly. Thank you for addressing this.

There is a great need for healthcare reform in this country, and not just a reform of who’s going to pay for it, and who’s going to get it. The real reform is in how much it should cost, and governments, somehow, only seem to make things even more expensive, not less. I’m no economist, but it seems the real reform iwould be getting all these extra fingers out of the system, and letting things cost what the market demands. Lower cost would mean more access for us poor people, taxing us to death to give a little back in the form of overburdened social programs just doesn’t seem to be a solution for anybody.

That b/w photo with this post – it’s scary, really scary. I would have felt utter fear in that position.

I’ve heard ill of America’s health care system. When I attempted my life, that my son was cared for and I was in hospital and it cost me nothing… I am so grateful. I am back on my feet now, you see, & continuing to serve society – out there working again.